How long can SARS-CoV-2 live on surfaces?

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to persist across the globe, epidemiologists, medical professionals, and public health experts have been scrambling to learn more about how this virulent new disease spreads.

Recent evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 (the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19) can remain viable on plastic for up to 72 hours, stainless steel for up to 48 hours, and cardboard for up to 24 hours, according to an article published by Johns Hopkins University.

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The same article states that the virus is also detectable in the air for three hours.

Although this information is certainly concerning, it's important to keep in mind that the amount of virus which remains on a surface steadily diminishes over time. These findings are also based on experiments in lab conditions, which differ from the conditions in a household, grocery store, or outdoor setting.

For more information on how long SARS-CoV-2 can remain viable on surfaces, please read the full article.

For information on how to protect yourself and your employees, or what to do if you become sick, please refer to the CDC COVID-19 web page.